Movie-making with young volunteers of Little Earth.

Volunteers of Little Earth show how to live environmentally friendly

As this is still a wish far from the reality, the young volunteers of Little Earth decided to make a movie project called "Magic in Dushanbe" to inform and raise awareness about different environmental issues, like air pollution, energy saving and waste of water. Idea was developed and initiated both by local and international volunteers from Germany working in our organization.

With a lot of motivation and fun the volunteers realized their own ideas regarding the question: "How to live in an environmental friendly way?". Under the slogan: "We don't need Magic! It is our responsibility", they described the story of a young boy who became sick because of all the pollution and traffic around him, but fortunately got help from a wizard, who solved all his problems with a lot of Magic - transforming cars into bicycles. The video became very popular among students and other environmental NGOs.

Little Earth's volunteers figured out that it needs a lot more than only one video devoted to transport issues in the city. The second video about energy issues came up shortly after it. Magic is not the right thing to solve the problems which are facing us - it has to be us, who do "magic" in everyday life by choosing environmental friendly alternatives and products. That's why the second film is containing also useful tips on how to save energy.

"I really liked to participate in these movies because we had a lot of fun. If we are making more movies, I will definitely participate again!"
The statement is given by Suhrob Komilov (16), one of the actors in the movies and member of young volunteers of Little Earth. Suhrob decided to be a volunteer two years ago, after a school presentation made by Little Earth. He thinks that the movies were a good idea not only because they informed people, but also because the activity in itself attracts more volunteers.

Parviz Sadikbaev (17), another of the volunteers shares the same experience. "I think it is more interesting for people to learn about environmental issues by seeing short and informative movies. So I really liked the idea of making these films."

Coordinated by three volunteers of Little Earth from Germany and Norway, the young volunteer group was given an opportunity to deal with and participate in environmental activities in a more attractive way, than for example boring lectures. The opportunity to take part in such a project makes young people get closer to environmental issues. On the other side the films made by young people are more attractive to others in the same age, especially when you see how much fun it can be to work on environmental issues.

And that is exactly why Suhrob and Parviz decided to become volunteers of Little Earth.

'Instead of sitting home doing nothing, we thought it is much better to meet other people and save the environment together.'

Watch this movie and other movies made by volunteers in:
www.youtube.com/user/littleearthtjk

Facts about Little Earth:

• Little Earth is an non-governmental environmental organization formed in 1997 by a group of young Tajik activists.

• It is one of few self-steered and local-based environmental organizations in Tajikistan.

• The key mission of the organization is to make people more aware of environmental issues and enhance their role and participation in sustainable development.

• Together with local partners, Little Earth run different projects on awareness and energy saving together with students and teachers from more than 70 schools all over the country.